In what has become a familiar routine this year, government officials will be assessing damage in 15 Missouri counties from a recent wind and hail storm.

Gov. Jay Nixon has asked the federal Farm Service Agency to survey damage from storms between Aug. 18 and Aug. 22 in central, western and northwestern Missouri. The assessments are the first step in determining whether farmers in certain counties can qualify for emergency loans or other federal aid.

The August outbreak of high wind and hail was the latest in a series of storms, floods and tornadoes that have caused damage in Missouri, beginning this spring.

The 15 counties being assessed this time are Andrew, Atchison, Caldwell, Cooper, DeKalb, Gentry, Holt, Johnson, Lafayette, Moniteau, Nodaway, Pettis, Platte, Saline and Worth.